Measuring empathy in health care staff in relation to job satisfaction, job related affective well-being, gender, occupation and length of service
Authors
Farrelly, Louise
Issue Date
2012
Degree
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
Empathy is an important attribute for health service staff in establishing a relationship with patients. The aim of the present study was to determine if there was a correlation between empathy levels, job satisfaction and job-related affective well-being in a sample of Health Service staff (N=84). A correlational study was undertaken using the Davis IRI Scale, Job Satisfaction Survey and job-related affective well-being scale. Differences in empathy levels across gender, occupation and length of service were also investigated. A positive significant correlation was found between IRI subscale perspective taking and the two variables job satisfaction and job-related affective well-being. Females were found to have significantly higher levels of empathetic concern than males. No significant differences were found according to occupation and length of service. Author keywords: Empathy, job satisfaction, job-related affective well-being